Sublime To Build Its First Zero-Carbon Cement Plant, Spurred by Clean Energy Grant

Zero-carbon cement producer Chic Programs obtained a $46.7 million funding tax credit score Jan. 16 from the U.S. Division of Power and the Inner Income Service, permitting the agency to maneuver ahead on development of a $150-million cement plant in Holyoke, Mass.

Chic has signed an settlement to amass 16 acres in Holyoke, and the plant will likely be powered by hydroelectricity, serving to Chic meet its zero-carbon targets for its absolutely electrified cement manufacturing course of.

Chic’s cement is produced by a course of first developed on the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how. Conventional cement is made out of limestone, which is transformed into clinker after which into cement. This course of releases carbon dioxide into the ambiance. Cement manufacturing accounts for an estimated 8% of worldwide carbon emissions at present.

Chic’s electrochemical course of makes use of electrical power to interrupt down feedstocks into their constituent parts. It then reassembles the elements into cement. Chic’s cement is made with out limestone or fossil-fuel-based kilns. The corporate’s cement-making know-how may be powered by renewable sources, corresponding to hydroelectric energy, and the processes enable electrons to interrupt down the substances at room temperatures, quite than the normal methodology of heating limestone and clay, combined with iron ore or fly ash, in a kiln as much as 2,700°F. The ultimate cement product can serve a drop-in substitute for Portland cement on development tasks, with comparable efficiency traits. 

“This funding builds an much more resilient path in direction of scaling manufacturing within the U.S.,” mentioned Joe Hicken, vice chairman of enterprise growth and coverage at Chic, who helped safe the DOE grant. “We actually excited in regards to the power within the area and the investments and the way we plan to onshore manufacturing in an area that, proper now about 20% to 30% of the supplies we use are imported from overseas. It is a means for us to fabricate extra regionally.” 

Chic’s cement has been used in concrete on projects by contractor Turner Building within the Boston space and the contractor reported it was delivered in ready-mix vehicles identical to on its different jobs. 

Hicken mentioned that Chic continues to be in early estimates for the plant’s prices and its complete engineering price might change earlier than development begins later this 12 months or early in 2026, with a completion date set for 2027 or 2028.

Holyoke is colloquially known as The Paper Metropolis, having produced 80% of the nation’s writing paper within the late 19^th century. The economic web site that Chic is planning for its future plant
is a property that previously housed paper mills.